Great Southern Nights in association with Byron Theatre presents Yirinda.

"The end result is a transcendent piece of art that defies Western conventions and stands the test of time.” - Twisted Soul Music

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"A stunning first single of sweeping ambient strings and Leone's poignant vocals” - Pilerats "[Yuangan] is a beautiful moment to take a breath” - Tim Shiel on Double J
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"With this lush production that would find a home with acts like Balmorhea; the string arrangements move you back and forth, rocking you with Leone’s vocal tones” - Austin Town Hall

Yirinda, the striking 2024 debut album by Butchulla Songman Fred Leone and musical innovator Samuel Pankhurst, will be released physically & digitally worldwide by Chapter Music/Secretly Distribution on Feb 16th, 2024. Album artwork was created by rising superstar Butchulla artist, Mia Boe.

Yirinda combines ancient Aboriginal language with sublime modern production to invoke the sounds of thousands of generations of story and culture whilst emerging as something entirely new.

Fred Leone is a cultural leader, a true-born artist and one of three Butchulla Songmen with Aboriginal, Tongan and South-Sea Islander roots. Butchulla country is in the Fraser Coast region including K’gari (Fraser Island). Over a decade, Fred has collaborated and played with contemporary artists such as John Butler, Xavier Rudd, Amanda Palmer, and best-selling author, Neil Gaiman.

Samuel Pankhurst is an internationally acclaimed musical innovator known for his innovation, versatility and virtuosity. As a prolific composer, he is currently working on a major commission for the Australian Art Orchestra and the creation of a sound design for prominent Indigenous dancer/choreographer Thomas Kelly.

6.00 pm - Venue doors and bar open

6.40 pm - Theatre doors open

7.00 pm - Special guest - Marshall Okell

7:40 - Interval

8:00 pm Yirinda

10.00 pm - Event ends

Great Southern Nights is a celebration of live music and will feature a taster series of performances across Enmore, Marrickville, Newtown, Parramatta and Penrith for ten nights from 16-25 November 2023 ahead of a full program in March 2024. NSW Government through Destination NSW and in partnership with ARIA, aims to stimulate the live music, entertainment and hospitality sectors through a line up of live gigs from household names, emerging talent and grassroots local acts across key NSW districts. For the latest information, visit greatsouthernnights.com.au